Mobility route optimization

ABSTRACT

A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product guides mobility-impaired pedestrians. Mobile tracking readings are received from multiple mobility assistance devices, each of which has an affixed tracking device. Based on these mobile tracking readings, multiple pedestrian routes for mobility-impaired pedestrians, including an optimal pedestrian route that has the highest tracking history to a desired destination, are generated.

The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. PatentPublication No. 2013-0085671 ,filed on Oct. 4, 2011, and entitled,“Mobility Route Optimization,” which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to the field of computers and trackingsensors, and specifically to the use of computers and tracking sensorsin the field of pedestrian navigation. Still more particularly, thepresent disclosure relates to the use of computers and tracking sensorsin providing suggested pedestrian routes to mobility-impaired users.

Accessibility to public facilities and buildings can often bechallenging to pedestrians that are mobility-impaired. Amobility-impaired pedestrian is a person who has physical or otherconditions that impede mobility. Such mobility-impaired personsexperience unique challenges when traversing across unfamiliarlandscapes to reach a desired destination.

SUMMARY

A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program productguides mobility-impaired pedestrians. Mobile tracking readings arereceived from multiple mobility assistance devices, each of which has anaffixed tracking device. Based on these mobile tracking readings,multiple pedestrian routes for mobility-impaired pedestrians, includingan optimal pedestrian route that has the highest tracking history to adesired destination, are generated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary computer in which the present disclosure maybe implemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary mobile assistance device to which atracking device is affixed;

FIG. 3 depicts multiple exemplary pedestrian routes generated byreadings from tracking devices on multiple mobile assistance devices;and

FIG. 4 is a high-level flow-chart of one or more actions performed by aprocessor to direct a mobility-impaired pedestrian to an optimalpedestrian route to a desired destination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including, but not limited to, wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

With reference now to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, there isdepicted a block diagram of an exemplary computer 102, which may beutilized by the present invention. Note that some or all of theexemplary architecture, including both depicted hardware and software,shown for and within computer 102 may be utilized by software deployingserver 150, tracking devices 152, Global Positioning System (GPS)devices 154, and/or mobile communication device 156 shown in FIG. 1,and/or local processing/transmitting system 202, tracking device 252,and/or GPS device 254 shown in FIG. 2.

Computer 102 includes a processing unit 104 that is coupled to a systembus 106. Processing unit 104 may utilize one or more processors, each ofwhich has one or more processor cores. A video adapter 108, whichdrives/supports a display 110, is also coupled to system bus 106. Systembus 106 is coupled via a bus bridge 112 to an input/output (I/O) bus114. An I/O interface 116 is coupled to I/O bus 114. I/O interface 116affords communication with various I/O devices, including a keyboard118, a mouse 120, a media tray 122 (which may include storage devicessuch as CD-ROM drives, multi-media interfaces, etc.), a wireless signalreceiver 124, and external USB port(s) 126. While the format of theports connected to I/O interface 116 may be any known to those skilledin the art of computer architecture, in one embodiment some or all ofthese ports are universal serial bus (USB) ports.

As depicted, computer 102 is able to communicate with a softwaredeploying server 150 using a network interface 130. Network 128 may bean external network such as the Internet, or an internal network such asan Ethernet or a virtual private network (VPN).

A hard drive interface 132 is also coupled to system bus 106. Hard driveinterface 132 interfaces with a hard drive 134. In one embodiment, harddrive 134 populates a system memory 136, which is also coupled to systembus 106. System memory is defined as a lowest level of volatile memoryin computer 102. This volatile memory includes additional higher levelsof volatile memory (not shown), including, but not limited to, cachememory, registers and buffers. Data that populates system memory 136includes computer 102's operating system (OS) 138 and applicationprograms 144.

OS 138 includes a shell 140, for providing transparent user access toresources such as application programs 144. Generally, shell 140 is aprogram that provides an interpreter and an interface between the userand the operating system. More specifically, shell 140 executes commandsthat are entered into a command line user interface or from a file.Thus, shell 140, also called a command processor, is generally thehighest level of the operating system software hierarchy and serves as acommand interpreter. The shell provides a system prompt, interpretscommands entered by keyboard, mouse, or other user input media, andsends the interpreted command(s) to the appropriate lower levels of theoperating system (e.g., a kernel 142) for processing. Note that whileshell 140 is a text-based, line-oriented user interface, the presentinvention will equally well support other user interface modes, such asgraphical, voice, gestural, etc.

As depicted, OS 138 also includes kernel 142, which includes lowerlevels of functionality for OS 138, including providing essentialservices required by other parts of OS 138 and application programs 144,including memory management, process and task management, diskmanagement, and mouse and keyboard management.

Application programs 144 include a renderer, shown in exemplary manneras a browser 146. Browser 146 includes program modules and instructionsenabling a world wide web (WWW) client (i.e., computer 102) to send andreceive network messages to the Internet using hypertext transferprotocol (HTTP) messaging, thus enabling communication with softwaredeploying server 150 and other computer systems.

Application programs 144 in computer 102's system memory (and, in oneembodiment, software deploying server 150's system memory) also includea mobility-impaired pedestrian route optimization program (MPROP) 148.MPROP 148 includes code for implementing the processes described below,including those described in FIGS. 2-4. In one embodiment, computer 102is able to download MPROP 148 from software deploying server 150,including in an on-demand basis, wherein the code in MPROP 148 is notdownloaded until needed for execution. Note further that, in oneembodiment of the present invention, software deploying server 150performs all of the functions associated with the present invention(including execution of MPROP 148), thus freeing computer 102 fromhaving to use its own internal computing resources to execute MPROP 148.

The hardware elements depicted in computer 102 are not intended to beexhaustive, but rather are representative to highlight essentialcomponents required by the present invention. For instance, computer 102may include alternate memory storage devices such as magnetic cassettes,digital versatile disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, and the like.These and other variations are intended to be within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

With reference now to FIG. 2, an exemplary mobile assistance device(MAD) 200, to which a tracking device 252 (analogous to one of thetracking devices 152 depicted in FIG. 1) is affixed, is presented. MAD200 is any assistance device used to aid a mobility-impaired pedestrian.As used herein, a mobility-impaired pedestrian is defined as a personwho has a physical and/or emotional condition that limits his ability tobe locomotive. Examples of such physical/emotional conditions include,but are not limited to, loss of or loss of use of one or moreextremities, low vision or total blindness in one or both eyes, reducedhearing or total deafness in one or both ears, emotional issues such asanxiety or chronic disorientation that prevent traversal across certainroutes due to environmental issues, stamina issues causes by decreasedheart/lung capacity, etc. Examples of a MAD 200 include, but are notlimited to, a wheelchair, crutches, a support cane, a “white” cane usedby the blind, a cast worn by the pedestrian, etc. The tracking device252, when used in conjunction with a location determining device such asthe global positioning system (GPS) device 254 (analogous to one of GPSdevices 154 shown in FIG. 1), is able to send out location signals to awireless signal receiver 206 (e.g., the wireless signal receiver 124shown in FIG. 1). These location signals may be remotely processed(e.g., by computer 102 shown in FIG. 1) or locally processed (e.g., bylocal processing system 202). In either embodiment, the tracking device252 generates a plurality of mobile tracking readings that describewhere (and optionally when) the MAD 200 has been. In one embodiment, themobile tracking readings are transmitted every predetermined period oftime (e.g., every 60 seconds). In another embodiment, the mobiletracking readings are transmitted continuously.

As depicted in FIG. 3, these mobile tracking readings are plotted on amap 300, which shows an origination point A (302), a destination point B(304), and pedestrian routes 306, 308, and 310 that are represented bythe mobile tracking readings from the signals generated by the trackingdevice. Note that map 300 is a plot of multiple MAD 200 s. Assume thatthe tracking device 252 in each of the multiple MAD 200 s emits alocation signal every 60 seconds. The high number of tracking points inpedestrian routes 308 and 310 indicate that these routes have a historyof many MAD 200 s following these routes, while the dearth of trackingpoints for pedestrian route 306 indicates that relatively few MAD 200 shave taken this route, even though it is the shortest route between theorigination point A and the destination point B. The present inventiontakes advantage of the historical trends shown to identify the optimalroutes between point A and point B. That is, since map 300 shows thatmost mobility-impaired pedestrians (using MAD 200 s) took pedestrianroutes 308 or 310, then an assumption is made that these are the bestroutes for a current mobility-impaired pedestrian to take.

Note that pedestrian route 308 and pedestrian route 310 have asubstantially similar number of tracking points. This similarity may bedue to simple randomness, in which both routes are equally optimal(i.e., have the easiest sidewalks, pathways, fields, etc. to cross in awheelchair or when on crutches), and past users have randomly chosenwhich route to take. In one embodiment, however, data analysis revealsthat when it is snowing, raining, dark, etc., most mobility-impairedpedestrians will choose pedestrian route 308 (e.g., due to pavedpathways, good lighting, etc.), but when the weather is clear duringdaytime hours, most mobility-impaired pedestrians will choose pedestrianroute 310 (e.g., due to nicer scenery, proximity to popular coffeeshops, etc.). Thus, in one embodiment a processor first correlates whenthe tracking points were taken to historical data from a local weatherservice. This historical data reveals what the local weather conditions(e.g., snowing, raining, etc.) were when the tracking points were taken.Based on this revelation/correlation, the processor is able to identifythe most popular pedestrian routes according to current weatherconditions. Similarly, in one embodiment, a processor determines whetherthe past tracking points were taken during the daytime or nighttime bycorrelating the taken tracking points to a time/date stamp on thetracking points, which is then correlated to a local sunrise/sunsetdatabase. Based on this determination/correlation, the processor is ableto identify the most popular pedestrian routes according to whether itwas dark or light when the tracking points were taken.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a high-level flow-chart of one or moreactions performed by a processor to direct a mobility-impairedpedestrian to an optimal pedestrian route to a desired destination ispresented. After initiator block 402, a processor receives a pluralityof mobile tracking readings from each of multiple mobility assistancedevices (block 404). That is, a computer system (such as computer 102shown in FIG. 1) receives periodic or continuous tracking signals fromthe tracking device that is affixed to each mobility assistance device.This results in the identification of multiple pedestrian routes from astarting position to a desired destination (block 406), such as thosedepicted in FIG. 3. As described herein, these pedestrian routes areidentified by the mobile tracking readings that have been generated inthe past by tracking devices that are affixed to the mobility assistancedevices (e.g., wheelchairs, crutches, canes, etc.). Note that in oneembodiment, the tracking devices are simply worn or carried bymobility-impaired pedestrians. For example, the tracking devices may beincorporated into a smart phone being carried by mobility-impairedpedestrians, thus enabling the capture of preferred routes bypedestrians whose mobility-impairment is emotional rather than physical(and thus there is an absence of a mobility assistance device such as awheelchair, cane, etc.). Note that in one embodiment, if trackinghistories are skewed by large recurring events (such as athleticevents), then any mobile tracking readings that were taken during theserecurring public events (or even a single event that would skew theroute history) will be eliminated from the mobile tracking readings, inorder to provide a more accurate route usage history. That is, in oneembodiment a processor correlates when the mobile tracking readings weretaken to a database that describes recurring public events. Thus, if atime/date stamp on a particular set of mobile tracking readingscorrelates to a time/date of a recurring public event, then there is anassociation of the recurring public event and the mobile trackingreadings that were taken during such a recurring public event.

In one embodiment, the determination of the optimal pedestrian route mayinclude locating and identifying an elevator, which if not on a route,will eliminate that route as a possible candidate for the optimalpedestrian route for a particular mobility-impaired pedestrian. Forexample, assume that a mobility-impaired pedestrian is in a wheelchair,and desires to get to the third floor of a parking facility. If there isno elevator in the parking facility, then that mobility-impairedpedestrian will be required to roll uphill on the parking facilityramps, which is may be physically exhausting, if not physicallyimpossible, for that mobility-impaired pedestrian. In the presentembodiment, an elevator is located by a processor (e.g., computer 102 inFIG. 1) detecting that a normally continuous signal from a trackingdevice goes silent at a same location along a pedestrian route (e.g.,within the parking facility), and then reappears at a different altitude(i.e., a higher or lower floor), as indicated by an altimeter functionin a GPS device associated with the tracking device. This pattern ofloss of signal followed by a change in altitude indicates that pastmobility-impaired pedestrians have used an elevator, in which GPSsignals typically are blocked. Based on this historical pattern, thelocation of the elevator is determined and transmitted to themobility-impaired pedestrian.

As described in block 408, an optimal pedestrian route is thenidentified for a current mobility-impaired pedestrian. The currentmobility-impaired pedestrian is defined as a mobility-impairedpedestrian who is currently at an origination point A of the pastpedestrian routes that have been identified, and who desires to travelto a destination point B on these past pedestrian routes. A preliminarydetermination is made that whichever route has been taken the most oftenin the past, as indicated by having more mobile tracking readings thanother routes from the origination point A to the destination point B, isthe optimal pedestrian route. Note that in one embodiment, a correlationis made between the mobility-impaired pedestrians whose tracking devicesgenerated the route histories and the current mobility-impairedpedestrian. That is, the route taken most often in the past by personswith a same mobility-impairment as the current mobility-impairedpedestrian will be deemed the optimal route for that mobility-impairedpedestrian. Thus, a recommendation will be made to person in awheelchair to follow the route most often taken by otherwheelchair-using pedestrians, while a visually impaired pedestrian willbe advised to follow the most popular route taken by other visuallyimpaired pedestrians in the past (all as indicated by the trackinghistory generated by the tracking devices associated with the pastpedestrians). Stated another way, a specific mobility-impairmentaffecting a specific type of user of one of the multiple mobilityassistance devices that provided past mobile tracking readings isidentified. A type-specific pedestrian route is then generated formobility-impaired pedestrians having that same specificmobility-impairment. After a processor identifies whichmobility-impairment affects the current mobility-impaired pedestrian,and then matches the mobility-impairment of the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian to the specific mobility-impairmentaffecting the specific type of user of one of the multiple mobilityassistance devices that provided past mobile tracking readings.

As indicated above, certain pedestrian routes are deemed optimalaccording to current conditions surrounding the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian who is in need of route advice. Forexample, a route that was most popular, particularly withmobility-impaired pedestrians having a same mobility impairment as thecurrent mobility-impaired pedestrian, during certain weather conditions,time of day or night, time of year, etc., will be recommended to thecurrent mobility-impaired pedestrian. Similarly, if the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian wants to get to a venue where a recurringpublic event is occurring (e.g., a college athletic game), whicheverroute was preferred in the past by those having his same mobilityimpairment will be recommended to that current mobility-impairedpedestrian.

As indicated in block 410 of FIG. 4, once the optimal pedestrian routeis determined (based on the highest past usage) for the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian, directions that describe this identifiedoptimal pedestrian route are transmitted to the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian (e.g., to his smart phone, personal digitalassistant (PDA), etc.). The process ends at terminator block 412.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of various embodiments of the present invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, but is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spiritof the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the invention and the practicalapplication, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand the invention for various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Note further that any methods described in the present disclosure may beimplemented through the use of a VHDL (VHSIC Hardware DescriptionLanguage) program and a VHDL chip. VHDL is an exemplary design-entrylanguage for Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and other similar electronicdevices. Thus, any software-implemented method described herein may beemulated by a hardware-based VHDL program, which is then applied to aVHDL chip, such as a FPGA.

Having thus described embodiments of the invention of the presentapplication in detail and by reference to illustrative embodimentsthereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations arepossible without departing from the scope of the invention defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A processor-implemented method of guidingmobility-impaired pedestrians, the processor-implemented methodcomprising: a processor receiving a plurality of mobile trackingreadings from each of multiple mobility assistance devices, wherein atracking device is affixed to each of the multiple mobility assistancedevices to generate the plurality of mobile tracking readings; theprocessor identifying a plurality of pedestrian routes taken by themultiple mobility assistance devices to a desired destination, whereinthe plurality of pedestrian routes are identified by the plurality ofmobile tracking readings generated by tracking devices affixed to themultiple mobility assistance devices; the processor identifying multipleoptimal pedestrian routes from the plurality of pedestrian routes,wherein said multiple optimal pedestrian routes are identified as havingmore mobile tracking readings than other pedestrian routes from theplurality of pedestrian routes; the processor associating a first localweather condition to times during which mobile tracking readings weretaken for a first optimal pedestrian route, wherein the first optimalpedestrian route is from the multiple optimal pedestrian routes; theprocessor associating a second local weather condition to times duringwhich mobile tracking readings were taken for a second optimalpedestrian route, wherein the second optimal pedestrian route is fromthe multiple optimal pedestrian routes; the processor identifying areal-time local weather condition for a current mobility-impairedpedestrian traveling to the desired destination; the processor, inresponse to determining that the first local weather condition and thereal-time local weather condition are substantially similar, selectingthe first optimal pedestrian route over the second optimal pedestrianroute for transmission to the current mobility-impaired pedestrian; andthe processor transmitting directions that describe said first optimalpedestrian route, to the desired destination, to the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian for traveling to the desired destination.2. The processor-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: theprocessor associating a first time of day during which mobile trackingreadings were taken for the first optimal pedestrian route; theprocessor associating a second time of day during which mobile trackingreadings were taken for the second optimal pedestrian route; theprocessor identifying a current time of day for the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian traveling to the desired destination; theprocessor, in response to determining that the second time of day andthe current time of day are substantially similar, selecting the secondoptimal pedestrian route for transmission to the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian.
 3. The processor-implemented method ofclaim 1, further comprising: the processor detecting a change inaltitude location of at least one of the multiple mobility assistancedevices after losing and then subsequently regaining a signal from thetracking device on said at least one of the multiple mobility assistancedevices; the processor interpreting said change in altitude locationafter losing and then subsequently regaining said signal from thetracking device as being caused by said at least one of the multiplemobility assistance devices being transported in an elevator; and theprocessor transmitting a location of said elevator to said currentmobility-impaired pedestrian.
 4. The processor-implemented method ofclaim 1, further comprising: the processor identifying occurrences of arecurring public event; and the processor eliminating any mobiletracking readings that were taken during the recurring public event whenidentifying the plurality of pedestrian routes.
 5. Theprocessor-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: theprocessor identifying a specific mobility-impairment affecting aspecific type of user of one of said multiple mobility assistancedevices that provided past mobile tracking readings; the processorgenerating a type-specific pedestrian route for mobility-impairedpedestrians having said specific mobility-impairment, wherein saidtype-specific pedestrian route is generated from past mobile trackingreadings for said specific type of user; the processor identifying amobility-impairment of said current mobility-impaired pedestrian; andthe processor, in response to matching the mobility-impairment of saidcurrent mobility-impaired pedestrian to the specific mobility-impairmentaffecting the specific type of user of one of said multiple mobilityassistance devices that provided past mobile tracking readings,transmitting the type-specific pedestrian route to the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian.
 6. A computer program product for guidingmobility-impaired pedestrians, the computer program product comprising:a non-transitory computer readable storage media; first programinstructions to receive a plurality of mobile tracking readings fromeach of multiple mobility assistance devices, wherein a tracking deviceis affixed to each of the multiple mobility assistance devices togenerate the plurality of mobile tracking readings; second programinstructions to identify a plurality of pedestrian routes taken by themultiple mobility assistance devices to a desired destination, whereinthe plurality of pedestrian routes are identified by the plurality ofmobile tracking readings generated by tracking devices affixed to themultiple mobility assistance devices; third program instructions toidentify multiple optimal pedestrian routes from the plurality ofpedestrian routes, wherein said multiple optimal pedestrian routes areidentified as having more mobile tracking readings than other pedestrianroutes from the plurality of pedestrian routes; and fourth programinstructions to associate a first time of day during which mobiletracking readings were taken for a first optimal pedestrian route,wherein the first optimal pedestrian route is from the multiple optimalpedestrian routes; fifth program instructions to associate a second timeof day during which mobile tracking readings were taken for a secondoptimal pedestrian route, wherein the second optimal pedestrian route isfrom the multiple optimal pedestrian routes; sixth program instructionsto identify a current time of day for a current mobility-impairedpedestrian traveling to the desired destination; seventh programinstructions to, in response to determining that the first time of dayand the current time of day are substantially similar, select the firstoptimal pedestrian route for transmission to the currentmobility-impaired pedestrian; and wherein the first, second, third,fourth, and fifth, sixth, and seventh program instructions are stored onthe non-transitory computer readable storage media.
 7. The computerprogram product of claim 6, further comprising: eighth programinstructions to associate a first local weather condition to timesduring which mobile tracking readings were taken for a first optimalpedestrian route, wherein the first optimal pedestrian route is from themultiple optimal pedestrian routes; ninth program instructions toassociate a second local weather condition to times during which mobiletracking readings were taken for a second optimal pedestrian route,wherein the second optimal pedestrian route is from the multiple optimalpedestrian routes; tenth program instructions to identify a real-timelocal weather condition for the current mobility-impaired pedestriantraveling to the desired destination; and eleventh program instructionsto, in response to determining that the second local weather conditionand the real-time local weather condition are substantially similar,select the second optimal pedestrian route for transmission to thecurrent mobility-impaired pedestrian; and wherein the eighth, ninth,tenth, and eleventh program instructions are stored on thenon-transitory computer readable storage media.
 8. The computer programproduct of claim 6, further comprising: eighth program instructions todetect a change in altitude location of at least one of the multiplemobility assistance devices after losing and then subsequently regaininga signal from the tracking device on said at least one of the multiplemobility assistance devices; ninth program instructions to interpretsaid change in altitude location after losing and then subsequentlyregaining said signal from the tracking device as being caused by saidat least one of the multiple mobility assistance devices beingtransported in an elevator; and tenth program instructions to transmit alocation of said elevator to said current mobility-impaired pedestrian;and wherein the eighth, ninth, and tenth program instructions are storedon the non-transitory computer readable storage media.
 9. The computerprogram product of claim 6, further comprising: eighth programinstructions to identify occurrences of a recurring public event; andninth program instructions to eliminate any mobile tracking readingsthat were taken during the recurring public event when identifying theplurality of pedestrian routes; and wherein the eighth and ninth programinstructions are stored on the computer readable storage media.
 10. Thecomputer program product of claim 6, further comprising: eighth programinstructions to identify a specific mobility-impairment affecting aspecific type of user of one of said multiple mobility assistancedevices that provided past mobile tracking readings; ninth programinstructions to generate a type-specific pedestrian route formobility-impaired pedestrians having said specific mobility-impairment,wherein said type-specific pedestrian route is generated from pastmobile tracking readings for said specific type of user; tenth programinstructions to identify a mobility-impairment of said currentmobility-impaired pedestrian; and eleventh program instructions to, inresponse to matching the mobility-impairment of said currentmobility-impaired pedestrian to the specific mobility-impairmentaffecting the specific type of user of one of said multiple mobilityassistance devices that provided past mobile tracking readings, transmitthe type-specific pedestrian route to the current mobility-impairedpedestrian; and wherein the eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh programinstructions are stored on the non-transitory computer readable storagemedia.
 11. A computer system comprising: a processor, a computerreadable memory, and a non-transitory computer readable storage media;first program instructions to receive a plurality of mobile trackingreadings from each of multiple mobility assistance devices, wherein atracking device is affixed to each of the multiple mobility assistancedevices to generate the plurality of mobile tracking readings; secondprogram instructions to identify a plurality of pedestrian routes takenby the multiple mobility assistance devices to a desired destination,wherein the plurality of pedestrian routes are identified by theplurality of mobile tracking readings generated by tracking devicesaffixed to the multiple mobility assistance devices; third programinstructions to identify multiple optimal pedestrian routes from theplurality of pedestrian routes, wherein said multiple pedestrian routesare identified as having more mobile tracking readings than otherpedestrian routes from the plurality of pedestrian routes; fourthprogram instructions to identify a specific mobility-impairmentaffecting a specific type of user of one of said multiple mobilityassistance devices that provided past mobile tracking readings; fifthprogram instructions to generate a type-specific pedestrian route formobility-impaired pedestrians having said specific mobility-impairment,wherein the type-specific pedestrian route is from the multiple optimalpedestrian routes, and wherein said type-specific pedestrian route isgenerated from past mobile tracking readings for said specific type ofuser; sixth program instructions to identify a mobility-impairment ofsaid current mobility-impaired pedestrian; and seventh programinstructions to, in response to matching the mobility-impairment of saidcurrent mobility-impaired pedestrian to the specific mobility-impairmentaffecting the specific type of user of one of said multiple mobilityassistance devices that provided past mobile tracking readings, transmitthe type-specific pedestrian route to the current mobility-impairedpedestrian; and wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,and seventh program instructions are stored on the non-transitorycomputer readable storage media for execution by the processor via thecomputer readable memory.
 12. The computer system of claim 11, furthercomprising: eighth program instructions to detect a change in altitudelocation of at least one of the multiple mobility assistance devicesafter losing and then subsequently regaining a signal from the trackingdevice on said at least one of the multiple mobility assistance devices;ninth program instructions to interpret said change in altitude locationafter losing and then subsequently regaining said signal from thetracking device as being caused by said at least one of the multiplemobility assistance devices being transported in an elevator; and tenthprogram instructions to transmit a location of said elevator to saidcurrent mobility-impaired pedestrian; and wherein the eighth, ninth, andtenth program instructions are stored on the non-transitory computerreadable storage media for execution by the processor via the computerreadable memory.
 13. The computer system of claim 11, furthercomprising: eighth program instructions to identify occurrences of arecurring public event; and ninth program instructions to eliminate anymobile tracking readings that were taken during the recurring publicevent when identifying the plurality of pedestrian routes; and whereinthe eighth and ninth program instructions are stored on thenon-transitory computer readable storage media for execution by theprocessor via the computer readable memory.